My name is Joel Syphus, and I have been called to serve as a full-time missionary in the Philippines Angeles Mission as a representative of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! Here, you can read about all of my wonderful experiences in the field.

Saturday, June 28, 2014

June 28, 2014 (by mom)
We had a little Open House for Joel this evening. He invited his close friends and our families. I wish I would have invited good friends from our ward, etc., but I just wasn't thinking...just living one day at a time these days. We had sub sandwiches from Wal Mart, cookies, pecan pies (from Dalley's) and Russian Punch. It was mostly fun just to visit though. Once again, great friends and family. We are so blessed with both!

Joel and his grandmas

Grandpas

A few of his good friends.

I'm failing!

I started to take pictures, then put the camera down to visit and you all know the rest of the story.

Sunday, June 15, 2014

June 15, 2014 (by mom)
It's been a whirlwind week for sure. Joel was ordained an elder last Sunday, went to a family reunion during the week, went through the temple on Friday and now gave his Farewell talk in our sacrament meeting. He was well supported by wonderful friends and family. We are so grateful for the amazing people in his life. And, I must say, he gave an AWESOME talk! I was so proud of him and couldn't believe what a good job he did. I told him he may have to be a computer engineer as well as a journalist because his thoughts were so well put together. Since we weren't having any type of get together afterward, I had to teach my primary class but his "2nd mom" Momma Dalley, stayed and took a few pics of him and some friends.

Joel's Farewell Address

Glossophobia: The fear of public speaking. Research shows
that approximately 75% of the World's Population suffers from this form of
Social Anxiety. Although it was my original intention to walk up here and claim
that I am part of the 25%, I fear that may no longer be true.

Now, you may be asking "Did he learn these few
useless facts, just to make that joke?" Absolutely, I did!

Also, for those of you who were here a year ago for my
sister's 45 minute talk, go ahead and put away your pillows and blankets- it
doesn't run in the family. For those of you who Weren't here- count your
blessings.

I'm just kidding, I love my sister. She can just be very
passionate about the gospel sometimes, and shares it in a very thorough manner.

So, now that I've hopefully got you all in a good mood,
I'll begin with "Magandang Tanghali" which is Tagalog for
"Beautiful Lunchtime" or "Good Noon."

Within the next 3 weeks, I'll be residing in the Manila
MTC, learning this language and preparing to share the Gospel with the Filipino
people. In light of this decision to serve, I have been asked to speak on how
my family and other leaders have helped influence and prepare me to for my
mission. I felt the best way to do this is by sharing how they’ve acted as examples
in my life.

My dad, brothers, and both of my brothers-in-law all
served missions. Because of this, it had never been a question whether or not I
would serve. I just always saw it as another step in my life, like high school,
college, and starting a family.

It's by serving their missions that they have helped
prepare me as well. All missionaries come home with something that nearly
everyone enjoys and appreciates: stories; which is why I've pulled stories from
Return Missionaries in my life to share how I've been prepared.

One of my dad's mission experiences has taught me to
always be a representative of The Lord, even when no one's around to see-

He and his companion, Elder Dogget, were tracting along
the snowy cobblestone roads in Norway when they came across a cat sunbathing on
a shoveled porch step. My dad thought it would be funny if they could get a
snowball close enough to the cat to scare it off the porch, so he and Elder
Dogget went around the corner into an alley and tossed a snowball near the cat.
As planned, the snowball exploded, showering the cat with frozen dust and it
ran off hissing. As he and his companion stood laughing, they heard a window
open and looked up to see a older woman looking out, scolding them.

"You call yourself ministers of The Lord, as you
torment God's innocent little creatures!" she exclaimed.

In Mosiah 18:9 we learn from Alma to:

9 … Stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all
things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be
redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye
may have eternal life--(Mosiah 18:9)

We don't know everyone who may be watching us in our
lives, but we Do know our Father in Heaven is. If you wouldn't do it in front
of your parents, spouse, kids, or even just a little old lady peeking out her
2nd story window, think that maybe you shouldn't do it at all.

My eldest brother, Erik, served in El Salvador, where he
learned and passed on to me the knowledge that The Lord inspires people-

Few people owned cars in El Salvador, so the main means
of transportation was by bus. On one occasion, my brother and his companion
invited an Elderly Couple to come to church as investigators. However, due to
the aggressiveness of the bus drivers who would take off the moment you set
foot inside, they were too afraid to leave home unless offered a ride in a
standard vehicle. As no one was able to transport them, they declined the
invitation. Come Sunday, Erik walks into the meeting house with his companion
and they see the couple sitting in the front row. After talking to them for a
bit, the Elders learn that the couple felt the need to attend so strongly, that
they braved the bus. They were eventually baptized.

On another occasion, an entire family of five, too poor
to afford the bus fare, traveled together on a single bicycle to church, and
home again immediately after the Sacrament meeting because of how long the
journey would take them.

Reading 2 Timothy 3:16-17 we find that:

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly
furnished unto all good works.--(2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Our father knows his children and helps them to know him.
As long as we put forth the effort to introduce them to our Father and Savior,
we can have faith that they will be prompted and inspired to continue the
journey, just as the Prophets and Authors of both the Bible and Book of Mormon
were. .

A story from my other brother's mission has taught me
that The Lord protects his Disciples- In the area of California Shaun and his
companion, Elder Gilbert, were serving, was the highest murder rate per capita
in the US, so they came across a lot of gated homes. In one instance, they
walked up to the fence and shook it a few times to make sure there were no dogs
out in the yard. No one came to greet them, so they opened the gate and walked
up to the door. After they knocked, a great big German Shepherd appeared from
behind the home, and walked up to them. It simply sat down at my brother's feet
and watched the door. A woman answered the door and began panicking after
seeing the dog, so she went and grabbed her husband. A man came to the door and
began looking back and forth between the Elders and the dog before gruffly
asking "What do you want."

After determining that the family was uninterested, my
brother and his companion left the home and latched the gate behind them.
Immediately after the fence was closed, the dog flew into a fit, barking and
baring its teeth as the Elders walked along the fence line.

Matthew 14:25-31 says:

25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto
them, walking on the sea.

26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea,
they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of
good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou,
bid me come unto thee on the water.

29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of
the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid;
and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and
caught him…

--(Matthew 14:25-31)

The Lord protects his disciples in many ways: Reaching
out into the seas for a faltering apostle, taming a dog for two young men, or
just by means of a whispered warning in your heart. Put faith in trust in The
Lord and he will bless and protect us according to our actions.

My brother-in-law, Robert, shared with me an experience
from his mission that showed him the true power of the Gifts of the Spirit.

While knocking on doors one day in Korea, he and his
companion were approached by a woman who believed the missionaries to be lost.
After they explained to her who they were and their purpose, they gave her a
flyer, inviting her to church. That next Sunday, she arrived and attended the
entire block with the Elders. In their Gospel Essentials class, they began
discussing Gifts of the Spirit, including the Gift of Tongues. This Sister
raised her hand, and explained that she had recently returned from some time spent
in Japan when she saw these two young men on the street. Unsure whether or not
they knew Korean, she approached them and began talking to them in Japanese. To
her surprise, they responded appropriately in Korean. Their conversation
continued in this manner, each of them speaking a different language. Because
of this event, she had already gained a testimony of at least part of the
church's doctrine, before even a single discussion.

We can learn of the many Gifts of the Spirit in Moroni
10:8-17.

8 And again, I exhort you, my brethren, that ye deny not
the gifts of God, for they are many

9 For behold, to one is given by the Spirit of God, that
he may teach the word of wisdom;

10 And to another, that he may teach the word of
knowledge by the same Spirit;

11 And to another, exceedingly great faith; and to
another, the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

12 And again, to another, that he may work mighty
miracles;

13 And again, to another, that he may prophesy concerning
all things;

14 And again, to another, the beholding of angels and
ministering spirits;

15 And again, to another, all kinds of tongues;

16 And again, to another, the interpretation of languages
and of divers kinds of tongues.

17 And all these gifts come by the Spirit of Christ; and
they come unto every man severally, according as he will. --(Moroni 10:8-17)

The Lord's work will always push forward, regardless of
any obstacles that Seemingly stand in its way. He provides gifts and tools to
his disciples to allow us to jump even the most intimidating hurtles, such as a
daunting language barrier, a sick friend in need of a blessing, or even in
finding courage to stand for what we know is true.

Brothers and Sisters, as I began writing this talk, my
sole purpose was to find absolutely Anything I could say that would put me just
a Few seconds closer to meeting my quota for time. However, as I got closer and
closer to finishing, I became more and more excited about what I was teaching.
A popular phrase is that "The best way to strengthen your testimony is by
sharing it." Well, I testify to you now that it goes further than that.
From these many great and wonderful examples in my life, I have Already gained
something from my own mission. That the best way to Learn something is by
Teaching it. I am in No way Any sort of Gospel Scholar… yet.

I know now that these next two years of my life are
designed to be as much a learning experience for me as they are for anyone I
meet on the way.

I testify unto you that this Gospel Is true. That The
Lord protects, inspires and presents unto his disciples Gifts for the purpose
of bettering ourselves and others. That it is in our best interest to represent
The Lord in all that we do.

I say these things in the name of our Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ, Amen

Friday, June 13, 2014

June 13, 2014 (from mom)
Joel went through the temple today to receive his own endowment. He went through the 2pm session and had to be there with his dad at 12:30. I can't believe how grown up he suddenly seems and yet he still seems too young to leave home for 2 years to such a far away place. It was so nice having much of our family with us. Kari & Rob, Shaun & Katie, Kerry & Courtney and Kami & Zack were all able to make it. Erik was 2 min. late and had to wait until the 2:40 session but at least he was there. After we went to the cafeteria and had Prime Rib dinners. Joel's dad heard that the temple serves prime rib on Friday's so we all went and humored him :) Such a special time in a special place with special people. Loved the day so much!

Sunday, June 8, 2014

June 8, 2014
Today I went to church and ended up being ordained an Elder after our block of meetings. It was such a last minute thing because many of my family members will be here this weekend for a family reunion so I am hoping to go through the temple while they are here. Since it was a sudden thing, I wasn't able to call any of our extended family to be with me; however, Rob & Kari were able to come and I had some great members of our ward family with me. My dad ordained me and Bros. Bowler, Terry, Accordino, Stout, Wood, Riding, Bundy, Bishop Walker and Jordan Terry and Mike Accordino stood in my circle. My mom teared up as usual. She doesn't like to see all of her kids grow up and leave her :)